Reason Magazine
- reason.com
- reason.tv
- reason.org
- Donate
- Site Search:
Reason on Facebook
Reason on Twitter
Reason on YouTube
Reason RSSGet Reason E-mail Updates!
Manage your Reason e-mail list subscriptionsadvertisements
Obama Picks MADD CEO To Head up Federal Highway Safety Agency
Obama has nominated Mothers Against Drunk Driving CEO Chuck Hurley to head up the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Hurley is a lifelong anti-alcohol activist. MADD’s top priority during his stint as CEO was to get states to pass a law mandating ignition interlock devices in the cars of all first-time DWI offenders. The device requires you to blow into a tube before starting your car, then blow again at set intervals as you’re driving. Under Hurley’s watch, MADD also gave a “qualified endorsement” for bills in the New York and New Mexico legislatures that would have required the devices in all cars sold in those states.
Hurley and MADD have a long history of manipulating data to support their policy initiatives. Last year, for example, I explained how a MADD report looking at DWI fatality statistics miraculously came to the conclusion that the numbers in each state–whether up, down, or unchanged–spoke to the urgent need to adopt MADD’s ignition interlock law. Hurley and MADD were at the heart of the effort to force the states to adopt the .08 minimum blood alcohol standard under penalty of withdrawing federal highway funds, and weren’t at all afraid to invoke dubious statistics to push their position. Hurley has aggressively pushed for the use of constitutionally-questionable roadblock sobriety checkpoints to enforce the new standard, even though there’s now good reason to believe the use of roadblocks have actually made the roads more dangerous. Don’t be at all surprised to see Hurley use his position at NHTSA to push for a federal interlock law as well. MADD’s goals are now NHTSA’s.
But Hurley isn’t just a zealot on alcohol. His default position seems to be in favor of more highway safety laws, more regulations, and more reasons to stop and fine motorists. Hurley has pushed states to adopt primary seat belt laws, which in addition to being a questionable use of law enforcement resources (people who don’t wear seat belts aren’t a threat to anyone other than themselves), have been criticized in some quarters for giving police officers another tool to engage in racial profiling, or as a pretext stop in asset forfeiture cases. Hurley has also supported the proliferation of red light cameras, despite studies showing they actually cause more accidents than they prevent.
At the Detroit Free Press, longtime automotive writer Eric Peters lays out what Hurley’s NHTSA agenda might look like:
…drivers can expect a ratcheting up of the low-grade harassment they already endure on a daily basis—in the form of more obnoxious regulations, pullover “safety” checks and very possibly lowered speed limits…
The legal standard for “drunk” driving has already been lowered to .08 BAC—a level well below the .10 and up level at which people have actual accidents as opposed to running afoul of “sobriety checkpoints.”
But even that isn’t enough. Under Hurley, MADD has been pushing to have the legal threshold reduced to .04 BAC, which would turn anyone who had a glass of wine over dinner into a “drunk driver” as far as the law was concerned—and subject them to penalties more severe than those applied to many violent felons…
As NHTSA head, expect him to push MADD’s current agenda as far as he can—including mandatory in-car alcohol detectors for everyone, not just those already convicted of DWI. And controversial “sobriety checkpoints” that stop random cars and subject their drivers to Gestapo-like stop and frisks are likely to sprout up in urban and suburban areas across the country.
AdvertisementAt the National Safety Council, Hurley campaigned for mandatory air bags and “primary enforcement” seat belt laws on the public, which ironically diverted state and local law enforcement away from catching drunk and reckless drivers and turned them into ubiquitous snoops of the nanny state.
Mandatory air bags—which add thousands of dollars to the price/lifetime ownership costs of every new car—have arguably helped undermine the car industry by making new cars much more expensive and thus less affordable to consumers as well as less profitable to sell.
As head of NHTSA, Hurley will wield immense power. Obama administration insiders expect he will order states and cities to install thousands of new photo radar and red light cameras, and to make a major push for a “pay as you go” driving tax—with mandatory GPS transponders for every vehicle, so Uncle Sam can keep track of where, when and how much you drive—and send you a bill accordingly.
That’s change you can believe in. Let the good times roll!
Hurley’s one positive? He seems to have drawn the ire of environmental groups for opposing increases to CAFE standards.
kinnath|4.20.09 @ 12:16PM|#
Another week . . . another "what the fuck" from the obama administration
Kolohe|4.20.09 @ 12:20PM|#
agree with everything above except the airbag thing,
specifically this part: "as well as less profitable to sell."
It applies to US and 'foreign flagged' manufacturers. So it's not
like the US manufacturers - which as been cited many times has been
unprofitable for a long time - have any sort of comparative
disadvantage in this specific area.
|4.20.09 @ 12:20PM|#
Just when you think it can't possibly get any worse.
On another note, all but two of my trailing stop loss orders
triggered this morning. Back into sweet, sweet cash (except for my
gold and silver, which is up). I actually came out a little ahead
on the bear rally. Which is good, because RC needs to restock the
liquor cabinet.
|4.20.09 @ 12:22PM|#
Chuck Hurley, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving?
Reminds me of this classic Onion piece:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/man_finally_put_in_charge_of
Xeones|4.20.09 @ 12:24PM|#
Holy fuck. Fuck you, Chuck Hurley. I bet you're not even really a mother. Fuck you too, Barack Obama.
|4.20.09 @ 12:25PM|#
It's like making L. Ron Hubbard the head of the American Psychiatric Association.
BakedPenguin|4.20.09 @ 12:27PM|#
Is it too early to start screaming "fascist" and other hyperbole? Because I'm starting to get Obama Derangment Syndrome.
SpongePaul|4.20.09 @ 12:27PM|#
My company "donates 200.00 Per year to MADD to be a "member" I took over last year, ands was unable to stop it for 2008. they called this morning to have us renew our sponsorship. It was satisfying to tell them NO. they then asked for a lesser donation, i siad NO they then asked for a 25 dolar donation. I said NO!!! She then asked if i wanted to personally donate 25.oo. AHH! not company related. I told her NO! I did NOT suport MADD or its policies. She actually said, it helps the children, I mean WTF! i finally said no no NOOOO!!!! ands she got the point and hung up. They are worse than your avg. telemarketer, and just about as usefull IMHO!
|4.20.09 @ 12:30PM|#
It's like making L. Ron Hubbard the head of the American
Psychiatric Association.
The APA is only a guild, not a government department. So this is
worse.
"Pschlos" and "Catrists". HAH.
|4.20.09 @ 12:32PM|#
Apparently, Obama really, really wants me to despise
him. He's getting his wish.
This just in - Innocxent persom dies in avoidable traffic accident.
Hair pulling and clothes rending at 11.
|4.20.09 @ 12:32PM|#
Much of Reason's coverage of the Obama administration has tended
towards the hand-wringing and hyperventilating I normally associate
with liberals. However, I felt gut-punched when I read this.
Not only is this bad in itself, it's a harbinger of things to
come.
Any optimism I had about this administration just died...
JB|4.20.09 @ 12:32PM|#
More psychos in the Obama administration. This guy gets worse
and worse. A retarded monkey would be better at this point.
I have to say all the apologists on here for Obama were and are
dead wrong.
|4.20.09 @ 12:33PM|#
OK, fine. "making Hubbard head of the department of Mental
Health and Hygiene."
Happy now, Literal Larry?
High Every Body|4.20.09 @ 12:34PM|#
Hurley is a lifelong anti-alcohol activist. MADD's top priority during his stint as CEO was to get states to pass a law mandating ignition interlock devices in the cars of all first-time DWI offenders. The device requires you to blow into a tube before starting your car, then blow again at set intervals as you're driving. Under Hurley's watch, MADD also gave a "qualified endorsement" for bills in the New York and New Mexico legislatures that would have required the devices in all cars sold in those states.
Perfect! Now that the government is in the car business all it
takes is a memo to thee engineering department to make this
happen.
"pay as you go" driving tax-with mandatory GPS transponders for every vehicle, so Uncle Sam can keep track of where, when and how much you drive-and send you a bill accordingly.
That one is the funniest of them all. Unless they are GPSing people
all they know is that car X went here and car Y went there, without
any idea who was in the car.
The fuel taxes are already pay-as-you-go and are self correcting
for road wear too, for the most part. Heavier vehicle takes more
energy to move, generally wears the road out more, thus more fuel
and more tax.
The GPS scheme is just another pay-again-for-where-you-went
tax.
Xeones|4.20.09 @ 12:35PM|#
I have to say all the apologists on here for Obama were and
are dead wrong.
Yeah, joe got out while the gettin' was good. Now we have but his
memory to beat and jab with pointed sticks. The rest, though, have
no choice but to backpedal frantically or else fall into mere
caricature.
|4.20.09 @ 12:35PM|#
From someone who experienced drunk-driving roadblocks firsthand in Canada, I can tell you that they really do suck as hard as you think. It's the perfect excuse for the cops to fuck with you. God help you if they smell weed, or catch someone without their seatbelt on.
|4.20.09 @ 12:38PM|#
Happy now, Literal Larry?
No.
I went after joe too early; we should have kept him around for
times like now.
|4.20.09 @ 12:40PM|#
Dagny,
What if they smell your seatbelt? Any of those Mounties ever try to
get fresh?
High Every Body|4.20.09 @ 12:40PM|#
I went after joe too early; we should have kept him around
for times like now.
Everybody can be virtual joe.
"HEB, it is not a double tax at all, it is two completly different
taxes essential to city planning!"
Ok, niw someone else add the profanity and condisention, or however
you spell that smuggy thing.
|4.20.09 @ 12:41PM|#
I went after joe too early; we should have kept him around
for times like now.
The Executioner's Lament. Sounds like a Decemberists' song.
|4.20.09 @ 12:48PM|#
The Executioner's Lament. Sounds like a Decemberists'
song.
You listen to the gayest music. NTTAWWT.
Ok, niw someone else add the profanity and condisention, or
however you spell that smuggy thing.
HEB, I slept with your mom/sister/aunt last night, and oh, guess
what? I just totally pwned you.
|4.20.09 @ 12:48PM|#
Sug,
They're a little more interested in their trusty steeds, if you
know what I mean.
Also, I should have known you'd be into those zany kids from
Portland.
|4.20.09 @ 12:52PM|#
For the record, I like the first Decemberists album and scant portions of the 2nd and 3rd. Now that they are progging it up with a rock opera, my interest has totally waned.
|4.20.09 @ 12:59PM|#
The Decemberists and Obama
In an alternate universe, Obama wasn't able to get away from that
chubacabra nestled in his right arm pit and died before doing all
this damage.
|4.20.09 @ 1:02PM|#
progging it up with a rock opera
So now would be a bad time to confess to digging some
Coheed and Cambria? OK, then, moving right along... ;-P
Xeones|4.20.09 @ 1:03PM|#
I'll cop to having seen the Decemberists once. In fairness, the tickets were free.
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 1:06PM|#
Coheed and Cambria has some good stuff.
Is anyone else getting creeped out on just how massive and ominous
this shit is getting with our government?
I'm trying really hard not to give in to conspiracy theories but
it's getting hard.
EJM|4.20.09 @ 1:07PM|#
Hey, at least this guy paid his taxes.
And, as far as we know, he hasn't been fined about 30 times for
various traffic offenses--unlike
South Australia's now-former minister for road safety.
|4.20.09 @ 1:08PM|#
Dagny,
You're a Canadian that moved to Seattle. We're just keeping our
fingers crossed your car isn't covered in retarded dancing bear
stickers.
|4.20.09 @ 1:11PM|#
It could have been worse. They could have appointed this (male) MADD operative to the post, seen here debating disgruntled ex-H&R heartthrob Kerry Howley on Fox News.
|4.20.09 @ 1:13PM|#
…drivers can expect a ratcheting up of the low-grade
harassment they already endure on a daily basis-in the form of more
obnoxious regulations, pullover "safety" checks and very possibly
lowered speed limits…
Maybe this is a ploy to get people to use public transportation
instead of driving...
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 1:13PM|#
"God, you people are dorks. So who is going to go see the new
Star Trek movie?"
Eh, I'll check it out, but TNG rules all.
And Wendy last week in CSI's spoof of Star Trek looked fucking
great throughout the episode.
|4.20.09 @ 1:19PM|#
We're just keeping our fingers crossed your car isn't
covered in retarded dancing bear stickers.
How dare you! No amount of drugs makes that acceptable.
|4.20.09 @ 1:20PM|#
Maybe this is a ploy to get people to use public
transportation instead of driving...
Isn't it a bit early to give Gaia her Earth Day present?
|4.20.09 @ 1:21PM|#
Eh, I'll check it out, but TNG rules all.
(shakes head at Kyle's crushing lack of taste)
I'm sure Dagny's car is covered in Arcade Fire stickers or
something similar.
Paul|4.20.09 @ 1:23PM|#
Don't be at all surprised to see Hurley use his position at NHTSA to push for a federal interlock law as well. MADD's goals are now NHTSA's.
So does this mean Obama has appointed another lobbyist to high
position within the administration?
EJM|4.20.09 @ 1:23PM|#
Eh, I'll check it out, but TNG rules all.
So, have you seen the
new version on GSN, hosted by Carnie Wilson? ;)
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 1:26PM|#
Is that because I'm seeing the new one or because someone can't
accept the fact that Picard with a broken phaser and a snorkle
could kill the entire crew of the Enterprise and half he Klingon
Empire from the original series?
Besides, I'm a bigger Star Wars geek than I ever have been Trekkie.
I'll take a Lightsaber and Force Lightning any day over green women
and the Prime Directive.
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 1:27PM|#
"So, have you seen the new version on GSN, hosted by Carnie
Wilson? ;)"
...
You win...for now...
:evil stare:
High Every Body|4.20.09 @ 1:28PM|#
Isn't it a bit early to give Gaia her Earth Day
present?
Stalin's birthday Earth Day is just around the
corner.
mad at madd|4.20.09 @ 1:28PM|#
There must be a plot to kill off the suburbs.
First the price spike of oil last spring and summer which really
shocked the shit out of a lot of commuters, then the drop in
housing prices as well as 50% drop in 401Ks which the suburban plan
to retire on, and now you can't even get into your car after two
drinks in the local watering hole.
I better get my drivable barstool back into shape!
High Every Body|4.20.09 @ 1:29PM|#
So does this mean Obama has appointed another lobbyist to
high position within the administration?
Under the new scoring rules, MADD is not a lobbying group, but a
group interested in the wellbeing of humanity.
Paul|4.20.09 @ 1:29PM|#
install thousands of new photo radar and red light cameras,
These are popping up all over Seattle, now.
|4.20.09 @ 1:31PM|#
God, you people are dorks. So who is going to go see the new
Star Trek movie?
I'm there. I predict lots and lots of wincing as Abrams destroys
the manual and rewrites bunches of ST lore, but it looks like it
could actually be good.
I'll go in with an open mind and be prepared to instantly hate the
moment he tries "cute" one to many times.
|4.20.09 @ 1:32PM|#
OK, the Arcade Fire actually kicks ass!
And, Epi, you'll be going to see the Star Trek movie just for the
cute boys, right?
Paul|4.20.09 @ 1:32PM|#
Under the new scoring rules, MADD is not a lobbying group,
but a group interested in the wellbeing of humanity.
Oh right. I forgot about that.
If ADM contributes to your campaign and you answer their phone
calls, that's corruption. But if the AFL-CIO contributes to your
campaign and you answer their phone calls, that's just lookin' out
for the workin' man.
High Every Body|4.20.09 @ 1:32PM|#
These are popping up all over Seattle, now.
Seattle, the city that exports crazy smelly hippies all over the
country to demand freedom.
|4.20.09 @ 1:33PM|#
Is that because I'm seeing the new one or because someone
can't accept the fact that Picard with a broken phaser and a
snorkle could kill the entire crew of the Enterprise and half he
Klingon Empire from the original series?
You are distressingly delusional. Since Kirk can beat a Vulcan at
chess (3-D chess!), he can out think anyone, especially
Picard.
ProL, don't fight it. You'll go insane. Kind of like Kyle, but
different.
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 1:35PM|#
"And, Epi, you'll be going to see the Star Trek movie just for
the cute boys, right?"
You know, is it me or do the actors they chose, other than the guy
playing Scotty, look like little kids!?
Paul|4.20.09 @ 1:38PM|#
Seattle, the city that exports crazy smelly hippies all over
the country to demand freedom.
They sure don't demand it here. Damned hippies want conformity
here. Just heard a segment on the local NPR about how many Seattle
couples in therapy list "arguments about recycling procedure" as a
factor in their relationship. I gagged during most of the
story.
Think we'll jack the thread back?
|4.20.09 @ 1:38PM|#
And, Epi, you'll be going to see the Star Trek movie just
for the cute boys, right?
To paraphrase Family Guy: "holy crap, Uhura's a
chick?!?"
And Abrams has specifically said he wants to "reboot" the
franchise.
I'm totally ambivalent anyway; my expectations for everything are
so low now that all they can do is pleasantly surprise me.
robc|4.20.09 @ 1:41PM|#
You know, is it me or do the actors they chose, other than
the guy playing Scotty, look like little kids!?
An Ender's Game/Star Trek mash up?
|4.20.09 @ 1:42PM|#
Are you afraid of being "cleared?"
Nope. I can't wait to have perfect recall of every moment of my
life. I could endlessly replay making out with that giant-breasted
Hawaiian chick.
"She was, like, half-boob."
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 1:43PM|#
"They sure don't demand it here. Damned hippies want conformity
here. Just heard a segment on the local NPR about how many Seattle
couples in therapy list "arguments about recycling procedure" as a
factor in their relationship. I gagged during most of the
story."
Dude you made that shit up. Not even the yuppie couple from
Christmas Vacation were that uptight.
And I do hope the new Trek movie is good. Trek, any of them, just
never really grabbed me though.
And Picard beat Q. Numerous times.
Picard>Kirk To ∞ (and beyond!)
alan|4.20.09 @ 1:45PM|#
Xeones | April 20, 2009, 12:24pm | #
Holy fuck. Fuck you, Chuck Hurley. I bet you're not even really a
mother. Fuck you too, Barack Obama.
If truth in advertisement laws applied to 'non-profits', MADD would
have to rename their organization, Motherfuckers Against Sane
Policy.
|4.20.09 @ 1:45PM|#
Horrible. The laws regarding alcohol in this country are already
draconian and largely at the behest of groups like MADD.
Now that gang of psychotic zealots controls the agency most
responsible for sadistic power crazed harassment of anyone who uses
a car.
|4.20.09 @ 1:46PM|#
Episiarch,
Reboots suck. And I'll put money on this one being particularly
craptastic.
|4.20.09 @ 1:47PM|#
perhaps this nomination is meant to make driving so annoying we will all take rapid transit
|4.20.09 @ 1:52PM|#
SugarFree-
Once, while on a second date with a honey from Hong Kong, a
disciple of L. Ron accosted us on Beacon Street, in Boston, and
skillfully played to my date's raw curiosity and we got schnookered
into taking the "free personality test." I so wanted to be a pain
in the ass, sarcastic troublemaker. For obvious reasons, I
exercised restraint.
EJM|4.20.09 @ 1:53PM|#
In the battle of the James T.'s, West could beat Kirk
anytime.
And, in the battle of Shakespearian-trained '80s TV actors, I'd
take Edward Woodward over Patrick Stewart. ;)
|4.20.09 @ 1:53PM|#
MADD is what happens when a bunch of self-righteous busy-bodies
driven by anger get their way.
They get addicted to the power and start deriving sadistic pleasure
from making life increasingly unpleasant for their perceived
enemies. Which in this case has expanded from "drunk drivers" to
"anyone who drinks" and/or "anyone who drives".
The same shit happens with groups like Greenpeace - they get a
blank check from the public cause environmentalism is "cool". So
they end up spending their lives harrassing the nuclear industry
and genetic engineers, for no reason, just because they can. Just
because it gives them power.
|4.20.09 @ 1:56PM|#
Epi, this totally pissed you off, didn't it?
Nothing affects me any more, Warty. Except Michael Bay.
(struggles to not smash computer)
Maybe I've channeled all my rage into him. I could possibly divert
a little for you, though.
|4.20.09 @ 1:56PM|#
Warty,
I didn't like that the bad guy is a Romulan (he is seen on a
viewer) when the revelation that Romulans look like/are Vulcans
wasn't known until "Balance of Terror" in 2266.
|4.20.09 @ 1:56PM|#
How long it will be before this asshole demands a "sane"
national speed limit?
Minimum vehicle weights (for safety!)
Maximum horsepower limits (for safety!)
Accelerometers and data loggers (for safety!)
Paul|4.20.09 @ 1:59PM|#
They sure don't demand it here. Damned hippies want conformity here. Just heard a segment on the local NPR about how many Seattle couples in therapy list "arguments about recycling procedure" as a factor in their relationship. I gagged during most of the story."
Dude you made that shit up. Not even the yuppie couple from
Christmas Vacation were that uptight.
You owe me a case of Scotch...
http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=17358
Three weeks ago, Seattle rolled out some major recycling changes. Now, we know recycling is good for the environment, but how good is it for your relationship? A therapist in Seattle says couples here tend to bicker about recycling more than you might expect. KUOW's Liz Jones takes a highly unscientific look at the "I dos" and "I don'ts" of recycling couples. And we check how Seattle's new recycling rules factor into the debate.
High Every Body|4.20.09 @ 1:59PM|#
Just heard a segment on the local NPR about how many Seattle
couples in therapy list "arguments about recycling procedure" as a
factor in their relationship.
I could see that as a factor in a relationship of mine.
"Look, babydoll, you want to recycle my garbage? Fine, take it to
your place before I throw it down the trash chute."
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 2:01PM|#
"I didn't like that the bad guy is a Romulan (he is seen on a
viewer) when the revelation that Romulans look like/are Vulcans
wasn't known until "Balance of Terror" in 2266."
Just think of this movie like "Man of Steel" or "Birthright".
It'll be forgotten about in a few years.
Warty|4.20.09 @ 2:03PM|#
Michael Bay Signs $50M Deal To Fuck Up 'ThunderCats'
LOS ANGELES-In the largest deal ever made to shit out a movie,
Warner Bros. and director Michael Bay announced a landmark $50
million agreement this week to monumentally fuck up
ThunderCats.
"I couldn't be more excited to completely fuck this up," said Bay,
who plans to begin production on destroying the live-action
adaptation next month. "ThunderCats has a great story, endearing
characters, action, adventure, space-travel, and fantasy. It will
be an honor to run it into the ground."
"I'll use every directorial tool I have to suck the very life and
charm out of this beloved cartoon," added Bay, claiming that the
film could turn out to be the most colossal piece of shit he's ever
worked on. "I won't rest until I get every last scene exactly
wrong."
According to executives, Warner Bros. settled on Bay after a
12-month search of Hollywood's most reviled directors, including
Joel Schumacher, Roland Emmerich, and Brett Ratner. In the end, the
studio decided only Bay could be relied upon to deliver a
220-minute cinematic clusterfuck with enough tedious performances,
overblown cinematography, and CGI explosions to make even the most
casual fan want to scratch their eyes out.
"No filmmaker working today has Bay's ability to somehow direct his
actors to be both emotionless and melodramatic at once," Warner
Bros. CEO Barry Meyer said. "And I personally can't wait to see how
he needlessly overcomplicates the plot."
Bay reportedly only agreed to fuck up ThunderCats after several
specific conditions were written into his contract. According to
the terms of the deal, Bay must be allowed to eliminate the
character Panthro entirely to focus on the asinine relationship
between Snarf and Snarfer, and include nearly 22 minutes of
frenetic, impossible-to-follow action sequences that he hopes will
annoy the living Christ out of audiences.
"We're just getting started on the storyboards, but I've already
got a lot of really contrived ideas about zooming in way too close
and shooting everything at nauseating angles," said Bay, who
claimed viewers won't be able to tell if the climactic final battle
is between two blurry elbows or a half dozen leopard-print pillows.
"I promise you'll walk out of the theater feeling like you just
flushed $12 down the toilet."
"You will all fucking hate me," he continued.
Hollywood insiders agreed that Bay-who has reportedly been closely
involved in each of the 45 progressively worse rewrites of the
script-was a natural choice to take a steaming dump on the popular
ThunderCats property.
"Michael Bay has this innate sense of how to ruin a great story,"
Variety reporter Todd Brick said. "His ability to create
astonishing plot holes, pepper dialogue with groan-inducing
clichés, and abandon storylines halfway through is unparalleled. He
was born to destroy this movie."
Though he admitted there was still "a lot of fucking up to do"
before the script attains his trademark shit-slicked sheen, Bay has
recruited hack writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci to punch-up
the screenplay with hollow characters and by-the-numbers jokes
about kitty litter boxes and hair balls.
But all the time and effort, Bay claimed, is worth it to ensure
that he fucks ThunderCats up as badly as he knows he can.
"Ever since I failed to ruin Scarlett Johansson's career with The
Island, I've been looking for a challenge like this," Bay said.
"Who knows? With Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and
ThunderCats coming out in the same year, I may finally reach my
goal of making all of America hate cinema forever."
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 2:03PM|#
"http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=17358
Three weeks ago, Seattle rolled out some major recycling changes.
Now, we know recycling is good for the environment, but how good is
it for your relationship? A therapist in Seattle says couples here
tend to bicker about recycling more than you might expect. KUOW's
Liz Jones takes a highly unscientific look at the "I dos" and "I
don'ts" of recycling couples. And we check how Seattle's new
recycling rules factor into the debate."
......
Fuck me...
I may need to keep a bottle of that Scotch for myself.
|4.20.09 @ 2:04PM|#
Kyle,
Not the biggest ST fan, but I'm one of those continuity assholes
you've probably read about on the Internet. (To be perfectly
honest, I'm actually struggling to care about the reboot at
all.)
Xeones|4.20.09 @ 2:06PM|#
Stalin's birthday Earth Day is just around the
corner.
[pedant]
Actually, it's Lenin's birthday.
[/pedant]
Back on topic: Fuck Barack Obama, yo.
|4.20.09 @ 2:07PM|#
Ya, know, I like Obama's seeming understanding of some of our
problems in the U.S. I voted for the man and his "hope and change."
I even agree with the direction he is dragging the country on some
major issues.
That being said, I am really getting concerned about his completely
obvious errors on some things. I can't believe him to be that
stupid. That only leaves me with him being a giant political hack
in some areas.
I came into this being a big big supporter of the man and his
ideas, but his heavy handedness is just disgusting.
To those of you that called the dancing bears retarded? I am just
too angry to reply. Sheeeeesh
|4.20.09 @ 2:08PM|#
Xeones,
You fear the day someone tells you that joke is totally played out,
don't you?
Well... this. isn't. that. day.
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 2:09PM|#
"Bay must be allowed to eliminate the character Panthro
entirely"
Panthro was a slur against blacks.
(This is what I've been told by others.)
|4.20.09 @ 2:15PM|#
Warty, NutraSweet: exactly.
At least Bay has good taste in actresses, his one redeeming
feature. But it's not like that's an achievement. He is a
(straight) dude after all.
Warty|4.20.09 @ 2:16PM|#
I once had a kitten named Panthro. He died because his momma went out hunting instead of nursing him. *sniff* Yo, fuck Whiskers.
Xeones|4.20.09 @ 2:17PM|#
SugarFree, i do not fear the day. I am prepared for
inevitability, yo.
Panthro is BLACK? When did this happen?
What? I always thought his race was, you know, panther.
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 2:17PM|#
"Panthro is BLACK? When did this happen?"
You're where I was when I first heard that sans the nearly
careening off in to a ditch part.
Paul|4.20.09 @ 2:24PM|#
Panthro is BLACK? When did this happen?
No, Pantrho was gay. That was the problem.
Kyle Jordan|4.20.09 @ 2:30PM|#
Panthro wasn't keepin' shit on the downlow!
You just know he and Tygra were fingercuffing Cheetara while Lion-O
was out fiddling with his sword.
冉爽慷|4.20.09 @ 2:30PM|#
@SpongePaul
She actually said, it helps the children, I mean WTF! i finally
said no no NOOOO!!!! ands she got the point and hung up. They are
worse than your avg. telemarketer, and just about as usefull
IMHO!
I usually tell them groups like AA and NA are supported by their
own members. Then I ask them how come they can't support themselves
if a bunch of drunks and drug addicts can.
|4.20.09 @ 2:45PM|#
# Kyle Jordan | April 20, 2009, 1:35pm | #
## "And, Epi, you'll be going to see the Star
## Trek movie just for the cute boys, right?"
# You know, is it me or do the actors they
# chose, other than the guy playing Scotty,
# look like little kids!?
Bugsy Malone in the 23d Century. (Or maybe that comparison should
wait until ST(JJA) II: The Wrath of Okmyx.)
|4.20.09 @ 2:46PM|#
I swear Obama does this insane-o crazy shit to distract us from the truly dangerous stuff he's doing. What that is, I don't know because I haven't gotten past the insane-o crazy shit yet. It's just too thick and rapid-fire.
|4.20.09 @ 2:48PM|#
As usual, you people are worrying about nothing. BO is a constitutional scholar. This MADD CEO has been appointed to a Federal position. This will have no effect on activities that take place entirely within your state.
|4.20.09 @ 2:51PM|#
That only leaves me with him being a giant political hack in
some areas.
Yes, he particularly irks me when he plays nice with Republicans,
who've never indicated they have any intention of reciprocating.
Clinton tried kissing their ring through policy and all that got
for him was impeached. I say he would be better off using his
mandate to do what obviously works rather than watering things down
for the sake of politics and political correctness (MADD and his
laughing off of he marijuana question).
Anonymous|4.20.09 @ 2:54PM|#
Silentz, I have a feeling we could learn a thing or two about these tactics from Chicago natives. Unfortunately, judging from Scientific Sampling(tm) I've done by readong the comment threads here, don't think there are any that aren't left of Kucinich.
Paul|4.20.09 @ 2:57PM|#
I say he would be better off using his mandate to do what
obviously works rather than watering things down for the sake of
politics and political correctness
Tony,
Think he might start doing that soon? Or are we going to continue
to get More Of The Same(tm) or Bush On Stilts(tm)?
|4.20.09 @ 3:01PM|#
I even agree with the direction he is dragging the country
on some major issues.
Like what?
Yes, he particularly irks me when he plays nice with
Republicans,
Like how?
|4.20.09 @ 3:05PM|#
This will have no effect on activities that take place
entirely within your state.
The feds would never do anything underhanded like make federal
highway funds and block grants "contingent" on states' adherence to
their "guidelines".
|4.20.09 @ 3:09PM|#
I say he would be better off using his mandate to do what
obviously works rather than watering things down for the sake of
politics and political correctness (MADD and his laughing off of he
marijuana question).
WHAT?
|4.20.09 @ 3:11PM|#
Energy, healthcare, taxes, foreign policy.
oh yeah. the whole saving the captain/killing the pirates thingy.
commander in chief and all. you know.
Bat Shit Insane|4.20.09 @ 3:16PM|#
"Yes, he particularly irks me when he plays nice with
Republicans, who've never indicated they have any intention of
reciprocating. Clinton tried kissing their ring through policy and
all that got for him was impeached. I say he would be better off
using his mandate to do what obviously works rather than watering
things down for the sake of politics and political correctness
(MADD and his laughing off of he marijuana question)."
What color is the sky in your world, Tony?
|4.20.09 @ 3:17PM|#
"""Hurley has also supported the proliferation of red light
cameras, despite studies showing they actually cause more accidents
than they prevent."""
And at least one murder. OK it wasn't exactly a red light
camera.
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/photo_radar_van_driver_shot_041909
Google Translator|4.20.09 @ 3:55PM|#
"冉爽慷 "
Chinese (Simplified) - English:
Shuang Ran generous at the expense of
WTF
Kevin|4.20.09 @ 3:57PM|#
Road Nazis! I got a .01 (sober) DUI in California last year (I'm 20) and now I can't drive for a year. How long until the .01 standard reaches the 21-and-up crowd?
|4.20.09 @ 4:18PM|#
brotherben, press releases don't count, so for the most part I'm
still not getting it.
Energy,
Has he done anything on energy yet? Has he even proposed anything
concrete on energy yet?
healthcare,
Has he done anything on healthcare yet? Has he even proposed
anything concrete on healthcare yet?
taxes,
Ah, so you favor higher tobacco taxes, even though they violate a
campaign promise.
foreign policy.
Alright, the unending series of foreign policy protocol gaffes has
been pretty amusing, but I honestly can't think of one thing he has
done that has advanced the interests of the United States.
the whole saving the captain/killing the pirates
thingy.
Either he micromanaged from the WH (bad), or he didn't, in which
case I don't see how he can take any credit for it.
To really get full points on that one, though, they should have
hung the fourth pirate (after suitable due process, which I imagine
would take about 15 minutes).
|4.20.09 @ 5:41PM|#
So if he hasn't done anything of note yet, why all the
badmouthing around here?
Because what he has done is colossally bad, with perhaps one or two
tiny exceptions.
The press releases that hinted at good things have been shitcanned
(see, e.g., medical marijuana raids).
The remaining press releases all promise policies of
cataclsymically bad proportions (see, e.g., cap and trade).
You still didn't answer my question, brotherben. What is he doing
to drag the country in a direction that you approve?
|4.20.09 @ 5:46PM|#
the whole saving the captain/killing the pirates
thingy.
While I have to give him more credit than that micro-managing
asshat Carter, at least going by what has been published Obama got
to have it both ways in the pirate thingy. By giving the on scene
commander orders to act only if the pirates appeared to threaten
the life of the captain, even if given with a nod and a wink, Obama
got to take credit for the Navy's success (BZ shipmates!), but had
things gone wrong he was separated from the decision. Good
political move by Obama, but he is still a douche.
|4.20.09 @ 5:56PM|#
R C Dean.
Things I approve of.
Forcing the rich to pay for the upkeep of the poor.
Forcing automobile manufacturers to produce more environmentally
sensitive vehicles.
Force the subsidizing of health care coverage for tens of millions
of people.
Forcing industry to be more responsible with environmental
issues.
Forcing the country to produce energy with an increasing green
footprint.
I like his willingness to attempt civil discourse with folks like
Chavez, and the Castro bros and the fella from Iran whose name I
cain't spell.
These actions, in my mind anyway, lead to a place that the U.S.
needs to be and I am okay with him doing them.
Yes, R C, I am aware that I used the word "forcing" many times. I
find it palatable since I agree with the results of such
decisions.
|4.20.09 @ 5:58PM|#
The whole suggestion that Obama was responsible for the pirate thingy outcome was snark. The credit goes solely to the sailors involved.
|4.20.09 @ 6:04PM|#
Maybe this is a ploy to get people to use public
transportation instead of driving...
Someone has to ride the utterly important and necessary high speed
rail.
OK, the Arcade Fire actually kicks ass!
And speaking of gay music, Wolf Parade anyone?
|4.20.09 @ 6:23PM|#
Forcing the rich to pay for the upkeep of the
poor.
Define rich
...increasing green footprint
Nuclear power is a good thing, agreed! Otherwise, it is nothing but
nice sounding horse shit
|4.20.09 @ 6:30PM|#
In 1988 Jesse Jackson defined rich as making >$39k per year.
Adjusted for inflation, $39k is what? $62k per year (I have no idea
what the correct value is, but I'd bet I am not far off)
Do you think someone making $62k is rich? Is someone making $62k in
Howard County, MD just as rich as someone making $62k in Garrett
County, MD? If you don't like the $62k figure, enter your own and
then answer the question.
Who exactly gets to define what "rich" is? What assurance can you
make that the person that gets to define "rich" isn't corrupt
bastard?
|4.20.09 @ 6:32PM|#
Forcing automobile manufacturers to produce
Three cars come to mind when I think about a government forcing a
particular car to be produced: Lada, Skoda, and Trabant. I think
you'd be disappointed in these three's "green footprint". Oh,
that's right, we'll just pick better people to be in charge.
duispy|4.20.09 @ 6:49PM|#
At the very least you can expect more sobriety checkpoints! Wouldn't it deter people from driving drunk by announcing them a bit better? I invite law enforcement to contact www.DUISPY.com and we'll send the alerts out via SMS Text to our subscriber's cell phones. South Dakota just set up their own site to do exactly what we are doing. We are offering it as a free service to both the community and the police departments.
Alice Bowie|4.20.09 @ 7:31PM|#
i voted 4 this guy...and...i'm very disapointed in the
following:
1. Eric Holder ... yea, he's black..but 2 conservative
2. Policy on Education
3. THIS APPOINTMENT.
The NEO-PROHIBITIONist are throwing EVERYONE in JAIL.
I've had about 6/7 friends arrested with BAC levels under .10...and
u are not DRUNK and a DANGER to everyone at .10.
One friend, was arrested at .06. In NY State, the TRUE limit is
.05.
|4.20.09 @ 8:28PM|#
In NY State, the TRUE limit is .05.
There is no true limit. The ".08% BAC limit" that most people think
of is merely the point at which you are per se intoxicated
under the law. You can be arrested for DUI for having ANY alcohol
in your system or for even admitting to having had ANYTHING to
drink recently. Telling the cop you "only had two beers" gives him
all the PC he needs to arrest you, if he so desires.
B|4.21.09 @ 11:32PM|#
"Hurley has pushed states to adopt primary seat belt laws, which
in addition to being a questionable use of law enforcement
resources (people who don't wear seat belts aren't a threat to
anyone other than themselves), have been criticized in some
quarters for giving police officers another tool to engage in
racial profiling..."
Jesus Christ. Give me a fucking break. Why is there always some
asshole who, no matter what the issue being discussed, claims that
racism is the motive. One good thing about these constant
accusations of racism is that it makes it easier and more
legitimate to ignore the fuckers who constantly level that bullshit
accusation.
B|4.21.09 @ 11:34PM|#
1." Eric Holder ... yea, he's black..but 2 conservative"
Just when you thought Alice Bowie couldn't get any fucking
dumber...
Jason|4.22.09 @ 8:45PM|#
"The device requires you to blow into a tube before starting
your car, then blow again at set intervals as you're
driving."
Let's me get this straight... they want you to take your eyes off
the road so you can stick a tube in your mouth?
Now if this is hard object and you get in a wreck with this in your
mouth, would it impale you?
Not to mention the ick factor if you let someone borrow your
car...
Site comments/questions:
Media Inquiries and Reprint Permissions:
(310) 367-6109
Editorial & Production Offices:
3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 391-2245